The 32-year-old, who had twice finished runner-up for the award, said he had been talking and pouring beer since he was 18.

‘The jxob involves talking about beer, beer styles and food pairing,’ he said. ‘The education of craft beer is very important to me. I have become a beer judge, avid home brewer and major beer geek because I care so much for real beer and all related matters.

‘I guess you could say every beer I have poured, every bar conversation I have had has led to this award.’

Mr Marinich said he was unconcerned by a recent Ray Morgan study that found Australians were increasingly turning to imported beers.

‘The trend I have noticed is that people seem to be caring more and more about craft/ real beer as opposed to the mass produced yellow fizzy water you can find in any pub in Australia,’ he said.

‘Beer with flavour, aroma, history and meaning is becoming more readily available.’